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Rabat – ClimateLaunchpad, an international climate-themed contest, has launched the final of its competition between 12 selected Moroccan start-ups at the Netherlands Embassy in Rabat, with the event set run between September 6-10.
During the contest, twelve aspiring entrepreneurs from Morocco will participate in a three-day boot camp and three coaching sessions alongside contestants from other countries to work on their pitches. The boot camp will be online but the organization committee hopes to organize the national final in-person for more transparency and encouragement.
The boot camp will help competitors develop their ideas and set a solid plan to guarantee a seat in the final competition.
After defending their green business projects in front of the jury committee, ClimateLaunchpad initiative will select two winners from Morocco to participate in Africa’s regional level.
“Although this is our first year to participate, we have surprisingly witnessed great talents willing to create an impact in this country. This promises a bright green future in Morocco,” said Ahmed Larouz, founder of ClimateLaunchpad Morocco. “It gives us confidence and power to lead and serve our talents to be the best of the best entrepreneurs with real influences here in Morocco and in Africa as well.”
Climate change entrepreneurs and startups from more than 60 countries will compete to be one of the best 16 creative ideas to gain access to the Climate-KIC accelerator, a global program with open-sources focused on promoting technology and innovation for climate solutions.
Outstanding startups will also benefit from awards to finance their businesses and to strive for more impact within their society.
“This initiative is one of the levers to be encouraged in order to accelerate North-South and South-North cooperation to fight effectively against climate change through green entrepreneurship,” said Elhoussaine Ouhlisse, Vice president of Akal Developments, a partner of ClimateLaunchpad Morocco.
ClimateLaunchpad is part of EIT Climate-KIC, Europe’s largest public-private innovation partnership to identify and support climate innovation initiatives. Since its creation in 2014, the group has assisted a number of cleantech startups in successfully securing funds and support from global partners to serve communities and create an impact.
The competition counts more than 100 partners, such as Accenture, Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, Microsoft, Volvo and World Wide Fund.
Morocco’s leadership in climate change across the African continent has been increasing steadily since the launch of the Green Morocco Plan in 2008, and the country has introduced different strategies to showcase its efforts for a sustainable future.
